beanchaud



(No Model.)

' L. A. BRANCHAD.

` GAB. GOUPLING'. No. 303,698. Patented Aug. 19, 1884. l

INVERTER.

N. PETERS. PhowLxhngm wwwwwwwwwwww D.

W-ITNEEEEE.

ijNiin Sintes LOUIS A. BRANCHAUD, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

` y CAR-COUPLING.

:.BPECIFEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 303,698, datedAugust19, 1884.

Application filed December 13, 1883.

showing the draw-head partly broken away.

Similar letters of reference are used to indicatelikeparts throughoutthe several figures.

The couplinglink A is made somewhat ovalshaped in plan, and has itslower front edges or ends rounded off, as shown in Fig. l., in orderthat it may more easily be entered into the link-cavity 'of thedraw-head B. In practice the link-cavity of the draw-head is made ofsuch a size as to permit of a forward and l backward play of two orthree inches being given to the coniiectinglink when in position, yetotherwise conforming so closely to the shape of the link as to hold itina nearly horizontal position Whenthe coupling-pin has been passedthrough the said link.

The coupling-pin C is provided with an upward extension, C', havingtherein a slot, C, and the whole is surmounted by a stem or guide-rod,G/Qwhich passes through abracket, 1), attached to the upper face of theydrawhead, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the angle formed by the end wall of the l car and the platform Ijournal in suitable bearings the crank-shaft E, the cranks E of whichare extended past the side of the car-body suf- `ciently far to permitof their being operated by an attendant. v

To the center of the shaft E, I weld or otherwise firmly secure thelever-arm F, which is extended' forward and enters the slot C in theextension of the coupling-pin, as shown in Fig. 1.

Near the pivoted end of the lever F, I attach a rod, G, connected to thelower' end of the bent lever H, pivoted on a pintle attached to theupper part of the end of the ca-r. The u'pper end or handle of thislever may play within a ratchet-toothed guide in the usual :manner, orits movement may be regulated or lim- (No model.)n

ited by two projecting blocks or lugs, I I, as shown.

vIn order that the coupling-pin may be held up when not in active use, Iattach to one side of it aninclined tapering lug,.I,which is inadcwedge-shaped, having its base on a horizontal plane with the lower faceof the coupling-pin head.

A sliding rod, K, is placed upon the top of ,the draw-head and in closeproximity to the coupling-pin, its forward end passing through a smallguide-block, L, and its rear end being contained within a suitable boxor case, M,and pressed forward by the action ofthe expansive spring N,which is contained within the said box M. A stud, O, upon the forwardend of the sliding rod, by coming in contact with the guide L, limitsthe forward movement of the said rod and prevents it being shot forwardbeyond its proper position by the spring N. The rod K is provided withan upward eX- tension, K, the upper end of which is inclined .f

slightly forward, the degree of inclination being the saine as thatgiven to the wedge-shaped lug upon the extension of the coupling-pin.

It should here be remarked that the forward end of the trigger orsliding rod K is projected a short distance in front ofthe draw-head,for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully explained, and also that thelever-arm F may be provided with a hinge-joint, to permit of lateralvibration or playwhen the cars are turning short curves.

This device may be operated either by the short cranks E upon the sideof thc car, or by the lever H and conncctingrod G, as may be mostconvenient to thc operator.

supposing that it is desired to uncouple the cars, the operation will beas follows, to wit: rlhe outer end of the lever-arm F is raised up untilit comes to the head ofthe slot Gin the extension of the coupling-pin,as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, and the lifting operation beingcontinued, the coupling-pin will be raised up out of contact with thelilik, which may now be withdrawn. As the coupling-pin is raised up, thewedge-shaped lugJ upon the extension of the coupling pin, by pressingagainst the finger or extension K of the sliding rod K, will` graduallyforce the said rod backward,compressing the spring N. As soon as thecoupling-pin has been raised sufficiently sideration, the said link willbe entered into high to permit of the butt ol" the wedge J clearing thepoint of the ringer K, the expansive power of the spring N will shootthe rod K forward, bringing the point of the finger beneath the butt ofthe wedge, and thereby supporting the coupling-pin in its raisedposition when the lever-arin F has been nioved back to its originalposition, which can be easily done, owing to the great length of theslot C. If a similarly-constructed ear having a coupling-link inposition in its draw-head be now backed up against the one under eonthedraw-head of the stationary car, and the draw-head of the approachingcar will strike L, against the projecting end oi" the sliding rod ortrigger K and force it back sutliciently far io release the finger Ki'roin Contact with the wedge J, when the coupling-pin C will descend,and, engaging with the link,wiil iirnily i, couple the cars together.

,llaving thus described my invention, what l i i pin C, having a slottedextension, C, guiderod C, and tapering lug J, the Shaft E, leverarni F,sliding spring-rod K, having linger K', and stud O, the guide L', andthe easing M, substantially as shown and described.

in testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set iny hand andseal.

LOUIS A. BRANGHAUD.

lili tnesses:

inns. lil. KELLY.

